The right-hand shore
(Book)

In 1920, Edward Mason is making a call upon Miss Mary Bayly, the current owner of the Mason family estate, the Retreat. Miss Mary is dying. She plans to give the Retreat to the closest direct descendant of the original immigrant owner that she can find. Edward thinks he can charm Miss Mary, secure the estate, and be back in Baltimore by lunchtime. Instead, over the course of a day, Edward hears the stories that will forever bind him and his family to the land.